Our God is faithful and mighty to save. He called me to faithfully serve Him for two years overseas, and if you’re reading these words, you may be discerning if He is calling you to do the same. It delights me to know that God has made us each uniquely in His image, and that He calls His church to proclaim His name, regardless of who (or where) we are.
When I arrived in Granada, Spain, two years ago I wasn’t sure what to expect. I wanted to immediately make a big difference and serve the local church as much as I could. That was the hard part, though. I couldn’t serve much, because I only spoke a little bit of Spanish. My first month in Spain, I barely understood any of the sermons on Sundays, or conversations that I had with our youth group. And yet, God was at work. He showed me the value in simply being present with others. I spent time with the families within my congregation and did lots of listening. I couldn’t say much, but it meant a lot to them that I was there. Whether it’s with the church or with others that God places along your way, know that He has given you the ability to be present. While in Spain, I found myself developing relationships that I never would have, had I not been present in those moments. I grew to know the baker down the street and many of the other workers around town because I took time to be present with them, and while I didn’t see the fruit of those relationships, I know that God was at work. Future Goers, I implore you to reflect on this powerful and quiet virtue; the ministry of presence.
Another lesson that I learned was that as a missionary from another country I needed to humble myself. There is an idea within the church that because we have been taught well (and called overseas), that we have all the answers to the problems within the communities that we serve. I hope that you know that this isn’t true. I struggled with the idea at first that I was called to Spain to provide answers and show the church how to make a thriving community. I realized very quickly that this was not my role. God had placed local leaders within His church, and I was called to submit to them. As missionaries, we will have a myriad of roles depending on where we serve, but the key is that we serve humbly. When I gave up the idea that I was there to provide answers, I started to understand the Spanish culture in which I was immersed. I began to see the difficulties facing Spanish youth, and Spanish Christians, and could more deeply reflect God’s love in a culturally appropriate way. Future Goers, God calls us to humble service.
Lastly, I want to share with you an idea that, frankly, bruised my ego. God doesn’t need us to complete His mission, yet He gladly chooses to work through us. God has the power to give miraculous visions to every Spaniard and have all of them come to know Him as their God and Savior. In His mercy, He has not chosen to do that and has allowed me to faithfully be a witness of His grace! Future Goers, I exhort you to allow yourselves to be used by God. This might not look like what you had in mind before you arrived, but know that God’s plan has never changed for us. Paul reminds us of this in his letter to the Ephesians, saying, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10 ESV). The opportunities that God places before you are no accident, and I hope that you lean into them, especially when He calls you to faithfully serve with your weaknesses. God is glorified by both our strengths and weaknesses; remember that, “... [His] power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Brothers and sisters, it is a wonderful blessing to be called by God to be a missionary. While there are many challenges that come with living in a different culture, and often speaking a different language, God is faithful and you need not worry. God calls us to faithfulness and promises to provide fruitfulness, although this might not be by our plans or timing. I want to leave you with the verse that God used to call me to the nations, as I hope that it is of encouragement to you as well. “But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24).